[In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical detection of bone morphogenetic protein genes in ameloblastomas]

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is related to the formation of bone and dentin. Immunohistochemical study showed that ameloblasts, odontoblasts and dental papilla cells contained much BMP. It is indicated BMP might be associated with the epothelial-mesenchymal interaction of tooth germs. In this study, the expression and distribution of BMP in 40 patients with ameloblastomas were observed by using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that all three BMP genes were overexpressed in the epithelial component of ameloblastomas, however, no positive reaction was found in immunohistochemistry. It is indicated that overexpression of BMP genes might be related to the development of ameloblastomas.